Totnes

I would just like to add my voice to this campaign as a recent convert to the joys of getting on a bike (as opposed to the misery of sitting in a tin can, missing the astonishing views and countryside and ruining the environment!).

I will forward this link to as many people with the good sense to have a bike as I can. Let’s make this happen!

On behalf of Transition Town Totnes, I would like to also pledge our support for this cyclepath initiative. As a keen cyclist myself I am very supportive of maximising the opportunities in the area for cycling off road. I’m sure many more people would cycle if the opportunity was available and didn’t mean taking to rather perilous roads, and this means new infrastructure such as this. We wish the project well.

As a local resident in Totnes and also a volunteer ranger for Sustrans. I strongly support your campaign. My son has a friend in Littlehempston, whom is cannot safely cycle to despite being a keen cyclist. The benefits of this route outweigh any perceived disadvantage. Let’s hope we can make this happen

Great to see the blogsite up and running. Now the French multinational called South West Water has made a mint asset stripping its land around Littlehempston, maybe it could put a little bit back into the local community? It’s massive auction in Sept 2010 gained it a stunning profit on land brought with water rate payers money. Maybe SWW could be persuaded to allow the people who live here in Littlehempston access across our land (it was paid for with rate payers money) so we can get to Tones on foot and cycle.!

Why are we not getting this cycle-way faster. Why oh why won’t South Devon Railway just allow the cyclists along the bridge, and why oh why are they acting in such a selfish manner. Come on Guys share it out for the health and social wealth of our community.

I’m a frequent user of the bike path between Totnes and Dartington and take my son on a tag-along to school. The path is so well used for the school run. It’s such a pleasure to see so many kids and parents riding. I have no doubt that the Littlehempston extension would be equally as popular. Please, let’s make this happen soon.

This cycle link is “a no brainer” to anyone who knows the area. So many excellent reasons for it so I can’t think why it isn’t happening. The infrastructure is all there bar a very short strip along the South Devon Railway Station and Rare Breeds Farm. Please get this done – it will have benefits for everyone!

In my opinion cycling along main roads in Devon is an extremely dangerous activity and the Totnes to Newton Abbot Road is a really good example of this. I love cycling and so do my children and there are still so few safe routes around Totnes. I really hope a way through this can be found to avoid future cycling casualties.

I do hope this cycle path can be built soon. Living in Totnes, it is really important to us to be able to cycle out to nearby villages. We can cycle to Ashprington and to Dartington, but this path would open up cycling on the other bank of the river. The main roads are much too busy to cycle on now.

All of us at the shop have wished to show support for this route from the beginning. As keen cyclists ourselves we all know the risks and intimidation of trying to cycle on the roads around Totnes. Another route to Totnes which is safe to cycle would be a huge asset. We are aware of the growing number of commuter cyclists in the area, as well as the draw Totnes has for tourists wishing to explore the area by bike. We hope we can get this route established to take one step further towards a greener environment.

Having moved from Bristol, a city that seems to take its cycling seriously, I miss not having decent off-road links to where I need to go. If anything it is more vital to have links such as this in the countryside than it is in the city. I pledge my full support for this cycle path – Let’s make it happen!

I’ve had my bike fixed and would love to visit my dear friends in Littlehempston with my kids without the trauma of the main road and may i categorically say would never savage or worry any rare breeds on the way.

This is a very important campaign. As others have said a fully interconnected NCN Route 2 linking Exeter-Teignmouth-Newton Abbot-Totnes-Plymouth is absolutely vital if Devon County Council is really serious about green infrastructure provision. A South Coast Route and hence removal of this bottleneck on it is also important for sustainable tourism in the far south of the county. Tourism businesses that are the lifeblood of the Slapton, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Thurlestone and Bigbury area, making them more sustainable places to live, also stand to gain if the connections between the Newton Abbot area and further upstream are linked to the South Hams by this greenway. Exeter to Overbecks in Salcombe was a pleasant ride in the late sixties. I was lucky enough to be able to do this when I was 15, but a generation has been unable to benefit from all that the countryside has to offer, perhaps our future grandchildren will be able to as a result of your efforts, keep the pressure on!

I would heartily endorse the plans for a cyclepath from Totnes to Littlehempston. Many of my sunday morning recreational journeys on minor roads to Broadhempston, Ipplepen and beyond do mean using the A381 . Avoiding this part of the route out of Totnes to Littlehempston would greatly improve my pleasure (and safety). I sincerely hope this route will be established.

We should aim to make the South Hams a mecca for cycle enthusiasts. Increasing safe and easy walking and cycling access to the area will bring great advantages to the local people and also the local economy, through increased tourism. How any groups and organistions – that are themselves based entirely on the tourist trade – can be so short sighted not to see the great advantages routes such as these will bring, is beyond belief. I live right by a cyclepath and it’s a pleasure to see people using it and just a shame that more don’t.

As a level route to and from Littlehempston and Totnes and a completion of a link within the network this is a vital piece of cycle path that cannot be put off any longer! Why is it when things make perfect sense they are dragged along slowly – the reason is money!! Cycles are cost effective. healthy methods of moving large numbers of people around, flexible, safe and free bar the cost of the bike – release the land, give it back to the people, without delay. Heel draggers! On Yer Bikes!!!

A cycle path from Littlehempston to Totnes would be an asset to both communities and encourage people away from their cars and onto their healthier and greener bicycles. It’s extremely inadvisable to cycle along the A381 and it is amazing that a small number of people can thwart the possibility of safe travel for those without cars or who simply want to cycle rather than drive.

I hope they will think again and come round to supporting this long overdue initiative.

A cycle path from Totnes to Littlehempston would be a great amenity for the area. There are relatively few flat-ish cycle paths in the South Hams. This one would be a lovely ride for all ages. It would also help link Totnes and the South Hams to the wider world, via the larger cycle-path network. In that way it might bring trade to this area. Thanks to everyone who is lobbying for this cycle path. RW

As a local cyclist this route would be a huge improvement for travel in and out of Totnes and has my full support. Any local cycle paths are a massive enhancement to the area and this one will be no different for leisure and commuter cyclists alike.

Many congratulations on a brilliant campaign. I do not ride on the A roads, so a cycle path to be able to get safely between Totnes and Littlehempston would be just fabulous. Very best of luck in persuading all concerned of the benefits to people and the planet.

I fully support this initiative. I have cycled the main road from Totnes out towards Littlehempston and it is one of the most frightening sections of road I have cycled. This path is vital in my opinion

It would be wonderful to be able to cycle to Littlehempston without having to go up the steep hill on the busy main road. Completing this link would make the connection between Totnes and a whole new area of Devon for cyclists as well as walkers.

This cycle path is a vital piece of transport infrastructure if we are in any way serious about getting ourselves out of our cars and onto our bicycles locally . The Littlehempston -Totnes cyclepath would mean that people who are at a a good biking distance to Totnes can access the town daily without getting in their cars and joining the unhappy throng of local drivers, or taking their lives into their hands on a dangerous stretch of the Newton Abbot road. Over a year ago a Swiss man, who was staying in Littlehempston, came into the Transition Town Totnes office and let rip for about half an hour about exactly what he thought of the green credentials of our town, based on the lack of this specific cycle track to such an obvious destination as Littlehempston. He could see the obvious merits and neccesity after being on site for less than 24 hours. Over a year later and still there is no resolution…but the campaign to get this cycle path is stronger than ever – well done to all those who have come out in support of this and put so much time into having to persuade people about what seems a very basic right to be able to travel healthily and safely to Totnes and back.

Wendy Stayte says:

December 9, 2010 at 4:17 pm

I ‘m not sure what is delaying the use of the bridge to the Rare Breeds farm and steam railway station, so haven’t a useful suggestion to make about that, but I long for the day when I won’t have to cycle along the main road to Littlehmpston any more!

I can’t wait to cycle to Littlehempston – it is crazy to have to cycle so far on busy roads to get there when its just over the bridge to the Rare Breeds Farm. Considering the bridge is already connected to the cycle path, making the connection to Littlehempston means that people will easily be able to walk there even rather than having to drive all the way around. Its just common sense to make this link. I like the idea that the Rare Breeds Farm will be accessible from the other side of the river as well. Please let me know when it opens.

It’s crazy to me that the natural route for cyclists and walkers doesn’t exist. Instead cyclists are dicing with death on the dangerous Newton Abbot road. Lets hope the people who can make the track go ahead see sense,we badly need this route.

Having this link open would provide for a much safer cycle route to the villages north of Totnes, encourage more cycle touring in the area and benefit the local tourist infrastructure. I fully support this initiative.

I don’t think it’s right that the relationship between the Rare Breeds Farm and hypothetical vandals should rule the decision. If the RBF has a problem it cannot be solved by making the place less accessible, or by inconveniencing everyone for their sake.

We strongly support this important link in the path and would
be enraged if it were to be put on the back burner. Totnes, of all places, needs and supports this and it sets an example for the whole country. Please support this and tell your friends to do so as well. What a great thing to do and to leave as a legacy
Katheryn and Orion Trenshaw

…..…just wanted to register my support for this project….and thanks to those who’ve put in the hard work to get things this far!….Cycleways/footpaths just have to be the way forward….can’t wait to use it!

I am writing to voice my wholehearted support for the Totnes Littlehempston cycle route. I am a committed cyclist and I would really appreciate a safe cycle way out of Totnes in this direction. I have had 2 accidents on roundabouts in Totnes, where cars have pulled out right in front of me, in spite of my fluorescent jacket.

The amazing thing is that this hasn’t been done until now! The distance needing to be bridged between the existing Totnes cycle path and the road on the other side of the river is so short, there is an existing bridge over the river, and plenty of space alongside the steam railway for a cycle path. What is the problem? If we are serious about encouraging cycling and trying to reduce dependence on cars then this project should be completed NOW! This route would open up a whole new quiet and beautiful cycling hinterland to Totnes avoiding long and dangerous alternatives, as well as plugging a gap in the important national route.

Anyone who has cycled from Totnes to Littlehempston knows that it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured on that road. And heaven knows how many unnecessary car journeys have been made because there’s no path.

It’s immensely frustrating over the years to see such easy solutions staring us in the face, yet still not have a path.

A path covering this route could be a real jewel in the local transport plan, and open up green tourism opportunities for Totnes and beyond that’ll bring in substantial income over the coming years.

We need any cycle routes possible in South Devon where provision for cyclists is largely shocking and embarrassing for an area with supposed green credentials. Locals will use it for obvious reasons and probably it would stimulate business as local cycle shops would be able to hire out more bikes to tourists if there were more routes to go on. The rare breeds would probably benefit from this….

I helped survey this route for Sustrans years ago. Without building a new bridge just for cyclists and walkers (uneconomic) it would be a missed opportunity not to have a crossing here to link the two sides of the river. The current routes make crossing the river with younger children on foot or on their bicycles or less fit adults on their feet or bicycles a daunting prospect. We should be encouraging all and this would be a perfect opportunity for that, not to be missed!!!

The cycle path would be fantastic, opening up the lanes out towards the neighbouring villages. It would mean Totnes people would be exploring villages, spending money in post offices, shops, cafes and pubs, and the cycle path would encourage a whole lot of people from Broadhempston, Littlehempston, Ipplepen and wider afield would come into Totnes to support our traders… and it would mean fewer cars in the lanes and car parks. I would imagine it would also be a boost for the Rare Breeds, as more people would pass by and spend some money in their great cafe and visit their site.

I long for this access path to go forward, I love Totnes town and also wish to live a few miles outside in the Littlehempston area but as a cyclist this has not been within reach, I have a baby coming and the NTA road is simply not an option, the Dartington access path makes an great example of how Totnes could work for car free life if more cycle and walking routes were put in place, this town has so many people who value a greener future, let this path happen, it will make our lives better, healthier and greener and give us more opportunity to live our aspirations to get out of cars and reduce our carbon footprint.

I cycle all the time around Totnes for work and pleasure. We really need more cycle paths, the traffic is getting too much to handle as a cyclist. Please build them, its really such a great investment for the community for generations to come.
Andy

We need this bike path – Totnes is poorly connected right now and this would not only link us to Littlehempston but create a lot more through traffic bringing cyclists to Totnes from east and west. Thank you to all our elected representatives for remembering that they are in place to serve the needs of the community!

We would love this cycle path to be built. We have a young family so can only cycle safely well away from traffic. There are very few cycle routes in this area. We think it would make the perfect day out to cycle to Littlehempston and back, and then stop for lunch at the excellent cafe at the Rare Breeds Farm, watching the steam engines. We think the cycle path will enhance both the existing attractions of the steam railway and farm, and really hope that all the issues can be resolved quickly to everyone’s satisfaction.

My family uses the cycle path regularly, in both directions from our house, to Totnes and to Dartington. We would love to be able to extend our route through to Littlehempston. It really would be a travesty if this new cycle path were not to happen, as it encourages walking, cycling and nature study, which are all great for physical and mental health. We would be totally enraged if this cycle path were shelved, when there is such massive support locally.

I am a local ranger for Sustrans Route 2. I would like to say a very well done for your great website and excellent campaign. The link between Littlehempston and Totnes over the River Dart is now the last hurdle in us being able to sign a safer route on country lanes between Newton Abbot and Totnes and eventually on to Plymouth. (The main road between Totnes and Newton Abbot is treacherous to cyclists and pedestrians). I dream of a day when cyclists and pedestrians can travel safely from one town to the next throughout Great Britain. At present there is no safe cycle route between, for example, Totnes and Torbay. Achieving this link between Totnes and Littlehempston would be a really positive start. I wholeheartedly support your campaign and applaud all your hard work and dedication.

Having cycled the Totnes to Dartington path many times with my children I would now dearly love to be able to go a little farther! A cycle path to Littlehempston makes sense on so many levels – not least to allow people to cycle safely to work and reduce the traffic congestion and parking nightmares in Totnes.

But it would also allow people in Totnes to cycle out of town safely, just for fun. I wouldn’t even think about cycling up the A381, let alone do it with my children.

And I can vow that none of us would vandalise the bridge, the railway or the farm – or scare the rare breeds as we cycled past.

Having just read the quote from Alan Taylor of South Devon Railway Trust, I would argue the following against his concerns:

‘The bridge was designed only for pedestrians use…’ give pedestrians the right of way and make cyclists dismount and walk across the bridge, which is about only 70 metres long

‘We are also concerned that the bridge would have to open 24 hours a day’ with ‘…the risk of increased vandalism’ and potential need for ‘high-security fencing’; by this argument you could not allow access public past any business premises due to the risks of vandalism, which would certainly cause issues to trade on Fore Street. The additional revenue that the Railway and Farm will get, will easily cover any costs of security cameras/lights/guard-dogs/man-traps/moats/portcullises, that they require

‘…detrimental to local economy’; this is so odd to hear from a tourist reliant business, that would only gain from the increased footfall past their doors, that it begs the question, what dark secrets are they hiding?

I think it’s probably time for a compulsory purchase order for the bridge; it will save the railway money in the long run with no bridge to upkeep and put additional money in their coffers with more people visiting.

In a few years when the path is done no one will believe that there was any opposition to this scheme and it’s very probable that all the people who are currently against it will have forgotten they ever were, as they cycle down the path to Littlehempston.

I am so excited about this cycle path. I would love to cycle but am really wobbly on a bike. This cycle past would give me a chance to go somewhere to get confidence in cycling before facing roads. Also vital link for getting to Littlehempston. I cannot drive and so it would give great acccess to beautiful parts of South Hams to walk in as well.

The Rare Breeds Farm is surely missing a huge potential customer base by opposing the cycle track. Just look at The Camel Trail in North Cornwall, where not only has Wadebridge seen a massive increase of tourism since the Trail was opened, but enterprising people, who are luck enough to have their property abutting the Cycle Trail have opened their gardens as tea gardens.

If the bridge is too narrow, a notice asking cyclists to dismount and walk across would solve that at minimal cost.

Vandalism? I personally have never seen any evidence of it on any cycle trail I have used, including The Camel Trail, The Tarka Trail, The Trail from Totnes to Rudolf Steiner School, Exeter to Powderham etc, etc, etc ad infinitum.

I cycle both for leisure and work, on my own and with my daughter. I very much look forward to using the route connecting to Littlehempston. this will help me also in my work as do most of my home visits by bicycle.

I look forward to being able to cycle this route traffic free. when you see how many people use the Dartington cycle path and enjoy both a recreational route and a safe route to school, work or shop, it shows how much such local paths are used and appreciated

The cyclepath linking L’hempston and Totnes is an excellent idea and I look forward to the proposal being made a reality soon. The more that can be done to link the towns with the surrounding villages by routes that are safe for both cyclists and walkers the better.

However, the concerns of the steam railway and the Rare Breeds Farm do need to be sympathetically addressed. It is not a question of knee-jerk fears of hordes of rampaging teenage vandals, because the farm was in fact badly vandalised just a few months ago. This was when the farm was closed and the bridge locked, so keeping the bridge open 24/7 would certainly in theory make access even easier for the tiny handful of people prepared to commit willful damage.

I would suggest that security fencing is probably the best solution. It would need to be high enough to be an effective deterrent and it need not be ugly – numerous options could be explored.

On the other hand, opening the bridge and path would mean that there would be fewer times when the two businesses were totally isolated. The possibility of passing cyclists or walkers at any time, especially in the off-season, may itself serve as a deterrent to trespassers.

Cycle paths increase the number of people using bicycles for leisure and commuting. In turn, they reduce carbon emissions, increase health and fitness, reduce road collisions, increase tourism – the list of benefits goes on and on.

The Littlehemston – Totnes cycle path will benefit the whole community and I look forward to enjoying it with my family.

Listen up Rare Breeds. Over 600 petitions in favour of the cycle path. That’s a lot of goodwill you’re losing never mind potential customers. Come on. Drag yourself into the 21st century. U-turns are all the rage. Support the cycle path and watch the support for your business flood in.

My wife and two boys are finding new paths to go on our bikes, new ones are always needed and enjoyed, especially ones that we can take straight from home. Some thing that makes this path even more needed is that only last week a good friend of ours was knocked off her bike whilst out cycling near Kingbridge. Luckily she is ok, but came away with some broken bones and is now unable to take amputees from the forces to base camp 2 of Everest. Is this a good enough reason to have another cycle path so that adults and children are not put in that situation again?

I live in Totnes and have many friends in Littlehempston. I’d undoubtedly use the proposed cycle path instead of jumping in the car when visiting them. This is a fantastic initiative that would benefit thousands of people across the whole area, it simply must go ahead.

It would be great to be able to cycle further than is currently available and I hope that it doesn’t take forever for this plan to be realised. I think it might be an idea to listen to the concerns of the rare breeds farm and the south Devon railway rather than just saying they are wrong they only have legitimate concerns for their businesses. I would love for the path to go ahead, maybe part of the ‘setting up’ would include increased security for them. We all have to live with the decision taken after all.

Anything that liberates cyclists from having to compete for road space with the wretched and ultimately doomed internal combustion engine is most welcome.
More cycle paths, more cyclists, more fun?
Yes, please!

I used to cycle to work in Broadhemston and found it a nightmare going up past the Bourtons with heavy traffic racing by, A cycle path will not only make it a safe route to the Hems villages but enable a nice walk for pushchairs and wheelchairs too to get to the other side of the river. The Rare Breed Farm cafe would surely benefit from this increased cycle usage.

We want to affirm our support for the cycle path which will allow us to visit friends in Littlehempston and to support the local services with maximum appreciation of the beautiful vicinity and minimum pollution.

I am adding my voice to the plea for this cycle path. Hopefully it would be a win win experience for the cyclists and the businesses . A dialogue with them about how they could feel safer re potential vandals seems necessary.

Obviously any track would be better than none, but could I also make a plea for the path to be a simple roughish track like the one between Totnes and Dartington . It feels much more pleasant than the new one from Dartington to Hood.

Really like your comment K A M, it sums up the frustration of young adults in todays society. Everyone in this town should have the same say whatever their background or age, it seems traders, especially shop owners and landowners are listened to more than anyone else. Until this is addressed I don’t think this town will ever reach its undoubted potential as a green space where everybody can enjoy a pollution free environment.

I must admit I’m a bit confused as to why Transition town Totnes are not taking more of an interest in this project. Surely this is what the project is all about getting people out of cars and onto bikes to get to work etc, not happy at all that they are taking a backseat. They give there support as if it is a massive thing and we should appreciate it, get off your backsides and try and change this town for the better and get rid of this awful traffic once and for all by championing projects like this. Well done to all people who are pushing this as its a massive thing to be able to get kids out on bikes to travel to school etc and adults to have the chance to travel to work without the use of cars polluting our streets.

ZOPA brings people together to lend and borrow money in an innovative way, bypassing traditional banks. The acronym stands for Zone Of Possible Agreement, a negotiating term.

The Zones offered so far in this debate, ‘Use the A381/Bourton Lane route’ and ‘Open the bridge for free access’, are too far apart and are reliant on one side conceding all, hence the strident comments and intriguing use of the local media, not to mention the convenient ‘vandalism’.

The cycle path must happen for all the good reasons noted by others. But for that to happen, there will have to be more acknowledgement of the concerns of the R and RBF relating to the protection of these businesses (not the spurious public safety/privacy elements), with some well thought through ideas on how to mitigate the risks that have been articulated (be they real of imaginary). Is that happening?

Having looked at the possibilities of this route many years ago I thought it about time that I supported your campaign.

To be honest I’m baffled as to why there’s any objection to this. It’s blindingly obvious that this is the way to safely cycle north out of Totnes. The main road is bad enough for experienced cyclists, it’s no surprise that others won’t go near it.

Our little cycle group recently had the “pleasure” of cycling through Littlehempston, meeting a local resident in his large 4WD that he seemed to have difficulty in slowing down in the narrow lane. Maybe he just didn’t see us clearly, but surely that was no excuse for shouting at us and muttering about how that showed that it wasn’t a suitable place for a cycle route. Not the friendly welcome one might expect in a sleepy part of Devon, but I guess from the tone of the posts so far that he wasn’t typical? Maybe those few who oppose the route should try riding to Totnes and back on the main road?

As for the bridge – it wouldn’t be there at all and the station and farm would not even exist if it hadn’t been supported by taxpayers’ money. Time for a return on our investment. Very telling that Mr Taylor refers to it as “our bridge”.

This route could be a showpiece for future development of schemes of this type – small works utilising existing infrastructure, but providing a massive benefit to the public, in this case creating a traffic-free route all the way from Newton Abbot to Totnes.

Good luck to the campaign – I hope the few objections don’t prevent this going ahead.

We have not had any consultation with Dartington on these points, but I would say that in recent experience, the majority of Graffiti is in the centre of Totnes, particularly in alley ways between buildings. With regard to burglaries, these are normally quite opportunistic, where thieves try doors that are left unlocked, or look for windows that are left open, these are generally in residential areas, where there are more sale-able items to steal.

There have been targeted burglaries in Totnes, recently the Holland and Barrett in Fore Street was broken in to, but it is unlikely that a cycle-path would be used in any targeted burglary on a shop, or business, as they do not allow for quick motorised escape.

With regard to the potential damage to the Steam Railway, it has always been high on the campaigns agenda to make sure that a proper independent survey is completed, in consultation with the railway and the Rare Breeds Farm. The planned path actually leads away from the Station and skirts the field to the River side, but it is key that all parties are involved.

We recently contacted the Steam Railway to again invite them to discussions and hope that they will be willing to see that the potential benefits to their business, out-way the fears that have been holding the project back.

Support Safe Cycling

Petition

Please read our aims below and sign up on the right if you agree.

We believe there should be a safe cycle route between Totnes and Newton Abbot, enabling cyclists and walkers to avoid the dangerous A381 Newton Abbot road. This route should also complete the missing link in the National Cycle Network (known as NCN2).

The route must be accessible to all, and therefore relatively direct and flat. Excessive gradients rule out most of the proposed alternative routes. The new route must also represent value for money, solutions therefore involving a new bridge over the river Dart are unlikely to be affordable.

After carefully analysing all the possible solutions over a number of years we believe that the best route by far runs along existing quiet lanes from the village of Littlehempston (north of Totnes) towards the South Devon Railway (SDR) station, crossing the Dart over the existing SDR footbridge. Having said that we will support any route which is accessible to families, safe, and affordable.

We understand that the SDR management have concerns about allowing shared access across the footbridge. We believe that it is vital that any solution resulting in the use of the SDR footbridge must involve adequate council-funded measures to ensure the security of SDR and the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, both of which excellent businesses we support and wish to prosper. Security measures would also need to be implemented sensitively to avoid compromising the aesthetic appearance of the station or the farm.

The missing link in the cycle network needs fixing. However we urge Devon County Council (DCC) NOT to sign off a route that bypasses Totnes and is hardly used currently. Instead we ask DCC to work with SDR and Rare Breeds Farm to find a mutually acceptable way forwards. And we ask that SDR enter these negotiations in the spirit of compromise, particularly in recognition of the fact that approximately 50% of the funding for their bridge was provided by the public. Please SDR, support the local community and help make this fantastic project a reality.